The Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi is set to determine whether Oscar Piastri can claim the title, as he, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen remain in the hunt for the championship. With the race taking place on Sunday, all eyes will be on these three drivers to see who can execute the strategies needed to become the next F1 champion.
Norris Must Secure Podium for Title Hopes
Lando Norris, the British driver, faces a straightforward scenario—he must achieve a podium finish at Abu Dhabi to secure the world championship. The result of the other two contenders, Piastri and Verstappen, becomes irrelevant if Norris manages this feat. However, questions remain after a disappointing performance in Qatar and tactical missteps by the team, including a risky strategy call during the last race weekend. Both his driving and the team’s decisions will be under scrutiny as he fights for his chance at the title.
Verstappen’s Complex Route to Equal Schumacher
Max Verstappen enters the finale seeking his fifth consecutive championship, a result that would tie Michael Schumacher’s remarkable record. His own path is complicated; he must finish on the podium to keep his hopes alive. Victory is not enough—should Verstappen win, he would still require Norris to finish fourth or lower, rendering Piastri’s result inconsequential. If Verstappen finishes second, he needs Norris to place eighth or lower and Piastri to come third or worse. Third place for Verstappen would require Norris to finish ninth or lower and Piastri no higher than second. These scenarios highlight how tightly contested the championship is heading into Abu Dhabi.
Piastri Needs Top Two Result for Potential Glory
Oscar Piastri must claim a spot in the top two to become the Oscar Piastri F1 champion at the Abu Dhabi finale. If the Australian driver wins the race, Norris must finish sixth or lower for Piastri to secure the championship—Verstappen’s finish would not factor in. In the case where Piastri finishes second, he relies on Norris landing in 10th and Verstappen in fourth or worse. These requirements underscore the narrow margin for error for Piastri, but keep his title aspirations alive in a dramatic closing event.
Tiebreakers Could Decide the Champion
If two or more drivers end the season tied on points after the final race, the first tiebreaker is the number of races won this season. This is particularly interesting as Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri have each claimed seven victories. In this situation, second-place finishes become crucial, with Norris leading at eight, Verstappen at five, and Piastri at four. Such a scenario could further amplify the tension if the points are tightly matched at the finale’s conclusion.
Abu Dhabi Finale Race Timing and Anticipation
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will commence at midnight AEDT on Sunday, December 7, with corresponding local times of 11pm in QLD, 11:30pm in SA, and 9pm in WA. The stakes could not be higher as contenders—Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri—prepare to make their final push for the championship, aiming to avoid past mistakes and seize this last opportunity.
The finale promises both drama and uncertainty, with strategy, position, and tiebreakers all potentially playing decisive roles. As the race unfolds, Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris will battle not only their rivals, but also the pressures of a season that could be defined by a single crucial moment in Abu Dhabi.
